Bug FAQArboreal Bicolored Slender Ant
Tetraponera rufonigra · Order: Hymenoptera · Family: Formicidae
Source: Wikipedia
The bi-coloured arboreal ant lives in trees across Southeast Asia and builds small nests in dried wood. It hunts tiny insects and has a strong sting that may trigger allergies in humans.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
It is commonly called the bi-coloured arboreal ant.
Source: Wikipedia
Does it bite or sting?
They possess a well-developed sting that can cause allergic reactions in people.
Source: Wikipedia
How to get rid of it
In Sinhala they are known as “Hath polayaa,” which can help when searching for local control methods.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
These ants live in trees and make small nests by excavating holes in dry wood.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
They are active hunters that capture small insects.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
They are found throughout Southeast Asia.
Source: Wikipedia
More photos
Questions people ask
How can I control them?
Knowing their local name “Hath polayaa” can help you find region-specific control advice.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Formicidae)
Eastern Black Carpenter AntCamponotus pennsylvanicusCan damage your home
Red Imported Fire AntSolenopsis invictaCan sting
American Winter AntPrenolepis imparis
Argentine AntLinepithema humileNuisance, not dangerous
Immigrant Pavement AntTetramorium immigransCan sting
Odorous House AntTapinoma sessileCan damage your homeSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetraponera_rufonigra
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Text written 2026-10-24 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.